Induction of supernova-like explosions by gamma-ray bursts in close binarysystems

We propose that a gamma-ray burst in one member of a binary may induce a su pernova-like explosion of a close, white dwarf companion. Such an explosion might be brought about in rather light companions, which cannot undergo th e standard accretion-induced explosion. This would give some supernovae ass ociated with gamma-ray bursts an appearance rather unlike that of the typic al Type I supernova. GRB 980425, if indeed associated with SN 1998bw, is to o weak to have produced the latter through our proposed mechanism.